VIDEO Body of Anna Kroup, 24-year-old from Waterford, found in Hudson River

By Danielle Sanzone

Monday, July 29, 2013

GREEN ISLAND -- The body found Monday morning in the Hudson River near the Green Island Hydroelectric Station was identified as Waterford resident Anna Kroup, the Albany County Sheriff confirmed.

In a press statement, Sheriff Craig Apple said: "The Albany County Sheriff's Office is investigating a body that was found in the Hudson River located in the village of Green Island by the Green Island Power Authority. The Sheriff's Criminal Investigation Unit was dispatched to the location to assist Green Island Police Department and lead the investigation into the discovery of the body. The body was discovered during a clean up by C.D. Perry Construction Company in the river. The body was recovered from the Hudson River by Sheriff's Investigators and later identified by members of the Waterford Police Department, as a missing female out of their jurisdiction."

Twenty-four-year-old Kroup has been missing since Feb. 18. The local actress and musician left a note but a body was never recovered, even after multiple attempts with a State Police diving team, officials said at the time.

Despite the five months since she disappeared, people never gave up hope that Kroup might be alive and just living somewhere outside the Capital District.

"All I kept saying to myself was that it wasn't [Anna], it was some other person. [And she was] in NYC or Hollywood or something starting over," wrote Deana Novak, a friend of Kroup's, on Facebook.

An "Anna Kroup: Missing Person" page was developed online and has more than 1,400 members in the group. On that site, people said they were speechless after hearing the tragic news and could not express how they were feeling. Dee Mulford said she had even sent an email to Kroup recently "on the off chance that she was alive and somehow able to check her email at some town's library."

She was described as "sweet" and "vibrant," with many expressing that Kroup would be missed.

Kroup was identified by police Monday by her tattoo markings, the press statement said.

At the scene Monday morning, the Green Island police blocked off the area with police tape then proceeded to use a crane to move what appeared to be debris and the body from the river. The coroner was on hand and the Waterford Police, who had been investigating Kroup's case, were later called in.

All questions were referred to the Sheriff, with Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan declining comment and Waterford Police Commissioner John Tanchak not returning a call for comment. Requests for comment from friends and family were also not returned.

While the investigation is ongoing, authorities said there was no indication that foul play was a factor in Kroup's passing.

Mary Stalker of Waterford said: "When you work with children you aren't supposed to have favorites, but it really can't be avoided. Especially when a child comes along who dances her way through the day, has endless compassion and wisdom beyond her young years. While she grew to be a beautiful young woman, Anna will always be that whimsical little girl to me. Her old soul was just too great for this world."

Kroup's body was transported to Albany Medical Center by Albany County Coroner Timothy Cavanaugh. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m., authorities said.

Danielle Sanzone may be reached at 270-1292. To follow additional coverage, click here.